I’m writing this ahead of this evening’s big game for a reason. I don’t want the outcome of our clash against the Blues to colour my judgment, and nor do I want it to colour yours, dear readers.

Editors note: Sorry for getting this up a little late, Sharon! I assure you it was sent before the Bulls game. Rob

You see, it was asked of me during the week what I think makes fans see red after a below par performance by their beloved teams and what, exactly, it is that creates a negativity amongst South Africa’s rugby fans, and I suppose sports fans in general.
“Look at the psychology, Shaz” came the call. And so, in intrepid investigative fashion I have done just that and taken some time to cogitate, meditate and gather the facts before me…

Before I begin, in true Van Wyk fashion I shall issue a pre-emptive warning – this is not going to be another all-encompassing castigation of those who are perceived of being overly critical of the Sharks, but rather a look at what makes us so damned passionate about them, and the other poor sods who aspire to beat them this year… (and that comment aside, I shall endeavour to remain completely impartial!)

OK. Here goes. Supporter passion… Sharks passion… Where does it come from? Personally I think it all boils down to evolution and the remnants of a pack mentality. We look at our sports heroes as Alpha Males and allow their (perceived) superiority to dominate us, inspire us and lead us. Any sign of weakness is (in true pack fashion) pounced upon and punished until such time as dominance and the pecking order are restored.

Oversimplified perhaps? Hmmm. Maybe, but I actually think that testosterone and pheromones have found a way to transcend the limitations of immediate proximity and ooze from every television set across the country each Friday and Saturday night, telling us on a deeply subliminal level who the top dogs on the field are and leave us rabidly frothing at the mouths when they show the slightest hint of imperfection.

It may be my natural history leanings, and doubtless overdoses of Sir David Attenborough, but I think there is still a touch of the caveman about us rugger buggers which overrides common sense and rationality and hits us squarely below the belt, appealing to the baser instincts of what is, and what is not socially acceptable.

By elevating our teams to the realms of divinity, by placing them on pedestals and worshipping their prowess, we are making a clear declaration that we are acolytes, followers, worshippers, fans, supporters… call us what you may it all boils down to the same thing – inferior. We may aspire all we want to be like them, but we can never be them, because we lack the skills and talents which set the lofty halo of godhood upon their brows… (cue blasts of trumpets, parting of clouds, shafts of light upon the Black and White gods, etc etc).
Seriously, there is a large part of every supporter that wants to be a rugby god. And if we don’t want to be them, we certainly want some of that special super-hero fairy dust to rub off on us. We want to bask in their glory and feel anointed by them.
So when they screw up, which invariably they do because in reality they are mere mortals like all of us, we get rather peeved. And exact vengeance upon them. Why? Because we feel stupid for having put them up on pedestals in the first place. We feel that their bad performances cast us in a bad light and show a fatal flaw in all of us – bad judgment. We followed the “wrong” people.
What this also means is that we actually set them up to fail by ignoring the fact that it is humanly impossible to be fault-free. So when SuperPat’s right foot goes to sleep, when Bismarck sends in a skeef one, when Odwa knocks it forward and Jannie Dup collapses the scrum we are in a sense waiting, sub-consciously, for it to happen, as it surely must once in a while.

Then, all of that incredible positive engergy we’ve been aiming at our heroes, either at the Tank or across the ether from living rooms and bars around the country, suddenly falters. And the dominoes start to fall. The negative energy begets negative energy and we become dikbek and morose. We can’t understand why our beautiful gods are falling apart. Disappointment leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. And hate leads to the Dark Side of the Force…. (Just think what an AWESOME psych coach Yoda would make!)
Am I making my point? Hope so, because that’s my deep-seated, human psychology and evolutionary take on why we take our team to task when they land face-first in the doo-doo. Now for the socio-political take on why we then get so frustrated and negative afterwards…

Let us not forget that these are hard times financially, politically, economically and socially. It seems like almost everyone across the globe is feeling the pinch and thinking that there must be more to life than slogging away at the daily coalface and living hand-to-mouth… Which is why we need heroes like our beloved Sharks (or Lions, or Stormers, or Cheetahs or club XV… what-evva) to help us to escape the monotony of our daily drudge.

The weekly big match is something to look forward to, a chance to focus on something other than the bank balance, the over-long lawn, the bathroom that needs redecorating, the dog that’s chewed a hole in the new fitted carpet and the new shocks needed on the old jalopy. So if it doesn’t go according to plan we inevitably feel like the side we have sunk so-much hope into has let us down, and personally slapped us in the mush.

Never mind that it’s not Stefan’s fault the bakkie’s tires are treadless, who’s to worry whether Kanko’s the reason the nearest and dearest had a headache last night and to hell with the fact that Beast has absolutely nothing to do with the severity of the babelaas from last night’s overindulgence… Blame the Sharks for everything, because they just did not do what they were supposed to do and cheer you out of your personal doldrums.

Yeah, I know I’m taking things to the lowest common denominator here, but I am trying VERY hard to get into the mentality of why we get so riled up about things. I suppose non-delivery in rugby is just a very South African reflection of non-delivery in virtually every sphere of life, whether it’s the month-end check-out chaos at Pick n Pay or the multimillion-rand water and lights bill.
At the end of the day we ALL understand why we get so involved in our team. We love them. We want them to do well so that we can show the world we pick winners and are on the side of good. But love, REAL love, is unconditional. And supportive. And completely understanding of human frailty.

I am going to wind up now by adding a small caveat to why we love the Sharks, which is for all of the wonderful women in Black and White out there in Sharksworld land… It’s a no-brainer, really. We love em because they are the best-damned-looking bunch of blokes on the face of the planet and are absolutely scorching HOT, even when it’s raining cats and dogs.

Let’s face it, if the SupeRugby trophy were awarded on looks alone, then we’d have already had the after party. The fact that our boys’ talent outshines their handsomeness is just the icing on the cake. And that they are such nice chaps to boot is the cherry on the icing.

Any way cant wait for the game ,going to be tough tough ! Blues beat the saders lets not foget!!

Comment 3, posted at 26.02.11 08:49:27 by Talent

Brilliant writing! The Alpha male analogy makes perfect sense. I feel a bit ashamed as if my darkest secret has been revealed But I’ll get over it

Comment 4, posted at 26.02.11 08:52:12 by Jarson (AddicteD)

Sharks players really hotter than Crusers? DC, Guildford etc?

I get what you`re saying here though. Especially if you don`t live amongst other supporters and are under constant ” threat ” from your mates.

Another factor is, our blind trust in the black and white makes us talk them up during the week, place all sorts of side bets and when things go pear shaped you only have yourself to blame for overestimating the guys really.

I find the guys I sledge on this site are actually the ones I have to punt the most during the week!
” Springbok front row, best hooker in the country !” and then one or two scew lineouts later all my good work through the week is down the drain!

Solution: Don`t love them. Just support them. If you love someone you are blind to their faults!

Question: Could it be that, when our team is strugling, our negative thoughts are collectively so strong that we are actually, on some telepathic level, making our players doubt themselves, thereby screwing up more than they normally would?

Comment 7, posted at 26.02.11 08:56:44 by Jarson (AddicteD)

Maybe a little bit more balance would be good. This place is like an emotional flipping rollercoaster some days. It’s really only a game, after all. We all seem to have lost a fair bit of the sense of humour on which this place used to depend…

Comment 8, posted at 26.02.11 09:03:54 by robdylan

@Sharon van Wyk: I’ve sent 2 arti’s (and neither have been piblished yet???) ..coul u drop me your email then I can forward them to u? (Maybe they will get published then..) :-p

Comment 9, posted at 26.02.11 09:07:53 by bergshark

Eish..published and could..

Comment 10, posted at 26.02.11 09:13:46 by bergshark

@robdylan (Comment 8) : Precisely. And don’t worry about it being late, dude, I meant today’s big game!!! @Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 7) : I think there is an element of truth in what you say, IMO the ether is powerful and transmits more than we know! Don’t forget that the guys on the field are all prone to the same highs and lows that we are, and carry the hopes of all of us on their shoulders as well as their own. They know they get sledged when they screw up and it can’t be fun!

With regard to identity, increasing globalisation and urbanisation means that cultural and regional identities are dying. Even race is dying, as many more people are marrying across race lines. That removes an easily identifiable marker – to say where and with whom you belong (an essential evolutionary characteristic of a successful gregarious species). Teams and fan clubs fill this need.

With regard to competition, modernisation, and the need to respect each other’s right to play in the sand-pit (ala Mill and Hobbes) has meant that the natural right to conmpete, conquer and possess has to be reined in strongly (except for the boardroom and on the nightclub floor). Again, sport allows you a very direct and visceral outlet for competing and defeating your fellow man, and if you aren’t too good at it (or find less time to do so) than you can happily do so vicariously, via your favourite team or sportsman.

And now, let’s wait to crush the skulls of the Blues ‘neath our sandalled feet, and hear the wailing of their fans.

Comment 12, posted at 26.02.11 09:25:28 by Big Fish

@Original Champion (Comment 5) : Well said. But I disagree where love is concerned. To truly love something, or someone, you do so in spite of their faults rather than being completely unaware of them. Also, you can dislike something or someone you love from time to time, without falling out of love with it/them. If you get my drift?

@Big Fish (Comment 12) : Indeed. What I call the McDonald’s factor. But the future of gregarious species depends on their ability to adapt and evolve, whether vicariously or otherwise. Islandisation (the byproduct of globalisation) is akin to becoming the proverbial ostrich with its head stuck in the sand. Sport is a great tool for empowerment for those who learn to handle it with positivity and grace. For those who merely wish to use it to bludgeon the “opposition” into submission it becomes something rather different. “Belonging” has its benefits (if you “belong” to a strong “team”) and its disadvantages (if you don’t). There are many levels that this discussion could now take, and interesting ones too… the rise of the Third Reich, Hutu vs Tutsi, Shona vs Matabele… History has taught us that it is positively dangerous in some circumstances to “belong” to anything, and that, like Switzerland, it makes more sense to remain neutral!
But yes, let us indeed slay our enemy on the field of Kings this very day, and rejoice in so doing as we send their souls to eternity.

My only problem at the moment with the sharks is that they have all the players to be brilliant yet the seem to fall short of true championship to often .I think there are players in this group and generation that have all the tools to dominate world rugby ,yes world rugby, yet they seem to border on mediocre ,they seem disinterested or will rely on the excuse that that game didnt suit my style of play.

I tell you what , the cheetahs utter commitment ,heart and tenacity last night was something special. Across the field they are average .Early on they lost their captain and yet still they fired at 150 %. They got so close to a win and had they had some of the sharks personnel they would have taken it home. They played like spartans for a union that can barely pay their salaries .In a day and age of the professional we hardly see such things ,we applaud clinical flashy rugby . Who would you say is more skilled ,kankowski or Johnson ?who has more potential ? Who delivers ?

If our most hearted preformances have to come when we are on the chopping block ,about to be cut out of the s15 then we will never suceed at this level-if we wait until play offs and semi finals then we are doomed ,well done cheetahs a performance like that last night was special to watch and heartbreaking at the same time.

Emotional rant

Comment 19, posted at 26.02.11 10:39:26 by Talent

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 17) : don’t worry about it – we all get carried away from time to time. As long as it doesn’t go any further, then all is well

Comment 20, posted at 26.02.11 10:45:04 by robdylan

On the same train of thought it takes a champion side to come from behind and win at the death ,or to put a good lead infront of a team and then sit back and defend while the other side seems to find an extra gear ,bulls are champions!

Love my sharkies ,just wish they could emulate some of the on field heroics that the cheetahs did last night in the middle of a season just for pride and boasting rights

Comment 21, posted at 26.02.11 10:45:23 by Talent

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 18) : thanks. We’ll leave it that way for a week or so.

Comment 22, posted at 26.02.11 10:45:31 by robdylan

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 14) :
I’m not talking about what should be, but what is. We certainly need to change the way we think and act as a species, but right NOW, this is what we are.

Sport fills a gap that modern life has created. Imagine life if all those Bull supporters had nothing to do on the weekend.

Did you not watch last week’s game? Comparing Hoff to Johnson is meaningless when the Sharks beat the Cheetahs by 15 points – and despite all of Johnson’s heroics, his side still couldn’t close out a game that they had led by the same margin up until 20 minutes from time!

Do yourself a favour – go watch the second Bulls try. Whose fault was that one? Then ask yourself when last you saw Hoff do something braindead like that.

Comment 24, posted at 26.02.11 10:50:10 by robdylan

@Talent (Comment 19) :
Valid points. But like in business or any other facet of life, natural ability is just part of what drives success – discipline, self-belief and some other factors are also critical.

@robdylan (Comment 24) : I don’t think it’s nonsense, and I’m prepared to be painted as condescending and whiney, but this is what I believe, and I am being honest now in my evaluation of players. Hoff is talented, tall, strong and blitz, Ashley Johnson is not ,he is short, stocky and slow yet he epitomises what a loose forward should be and do , in our forward pack the only players who I think play with equal intensity are Hargreaves ,Albert’s and Keegan –And Jean Deysel when he is fit(and Bismarck but that just because he is a machine and always ON)

Comment 27, posted at 26.02.11 10:59:14 by Talent

@Talent (Comment 27) : but Hoff plays a completely different game to Johnson – and besides, we have Alberts to play that role and he is about 3 times as good as johnson!It’s a bit like complaining that your apple tastes nothing like a banana…

Comment 28, posted at 26.02.11 11:03:19 by robdylan

Last night i watched two of the smaller men on the field dominate a game, get their team mates fired up by leading with their actions not their mouths. It was like watching school boy rugby, a game drenched in pasion and commitment .Ill say this I think some of the sharks players are thrifty(probably not the

Comment 29, posted at 26.02.11 11:04:07 by Talent

correct place to use that word) with such virtues.

Comment 30, posted at 26.02.11 11:04:50 by Talent

@Talent: would love to see the sharks team show that same grit and determintaion every game.
@Talent: but don’t the cheetahs always seem to show that sort grit and determination when they play other sa teams??that is actually,when you think about it,a quite pathetic attitude to have: save our best for our own..I’ve always said,that in a comp like superrugby,the nationakl coach and selectors should come out in public and say: only performances vs kiwi and aus teams will be taken into consideration when selecting bok team.then ,hopefully,all sa teams and players will focus on smashing the kiwis and aussies,rather then the bulls,sharks,stormers or whichever sa team ..at the end of the (darren),to win the world cup,the boks will be tested against overseas opposition.

Comment 31, posted at 26.02.11 11:06:10 by bergshark

@robdylan: johnson comes with a side-step(albeit only,by the look of it,off the right,ie steps def to the left..not a bad chip kick either..actuall, I would say johnson is keegan-like ..at 110kg !)

Comment 32, posted at 26.02.11 11:10:13 by bergshark

@robdylan (Comment 28) : Thats the problem with specialists and hybrids, they have it set in their minds that they are runners or line breakers or fetchers ,what happened to the jake white school of thought, has it just evaporated?

Lets look at the most complete player in world rugby, a true rugby god, Richie Mcaw ,I dont think he would consider himself an open side flank or a ball carrier or a line breaker -he is labelled as a fetch ,he is not ,he is a complete loose forward.

Comment 33, posted at 26.02.11 11:11:36 by Talent

@Talent: like the “total football” of the dutch soccer teams in the 70s? Every player is an attacker,defender..multi-skilled players.

Comment 34, posted at 26.02.11 11:16:27 by bergshark

@bergshark (Comment 31) : Good point , im not sure it is a case of attitude rather rugby smarts. Overseas teams know the cheetahs ,if awarded a penalty ,will go for points or the corner, and try bully them with their forwards, so they just keep the ball away from their big men and spread it out to the corners. Unfortunately when sa teams play eachother it becomes a matter of pride and we get pulled into a wrestling match more often than not ,and that is what the cheetahs love and thrive on

Comment 35, posted at 26.02.11 11:19:54 by Talent

Anyone think the sharks should perhaps lure nizaam carr to the tank?(Ikeys loosie).

Comment 36, posted at 26.02.11 11:20:11 by bergshark

@bergshark (Comment 34) : I would like to see player stats for the cheetahs bulls game

Comment 37, posted at 26.02.11 11:22:16 by Talent

@bergshark (Comment 36) : You leave nizaam exactly where he is thangyouverymuch

Haha that dude must come to the tank and get his sharks jersey,claytie

Comment 39, posted at 26.02.11 11:25:36 by bergshark

@Talent:I understand that there is a site somewhere that gives stats of all the superrugby games (tackle stats for team and players,handling errors,line-breaks..for each team and individual player..robdylan should know the websit..maybe even claytie)

Comment 40, posted at 26.02.11 11:28:18 by bergshark

@bergshark (Comment 39) : He has a few junior blue and white hooped jerseys that need to be upgraded to senior ones.

Pack mentality? Humans? Eish, confusion here. As much as many humans do have an affinity for Wolves and like to anthropomorphise the Canines and their pack, Homo Ruggerfansis is a very different proposition.

Naah, I don’t buy this romantic Wolfpack evolution thing. The difference between bobbejans/chimpanzees etc, our closest cousins and us is the fact that our ancestors developed an opposing thumb and started using tools.

The primary objective of this fork in evolution was to use a particular tool with the greatest possible skill – an oval shaped ball. I posit that instead of this Alpha, “pack” thing, the Sharks are in fact at the cutting edge of evolution in using a bladder shaped ball to maximum effect.

The rest of us are actually onlooking bystanders marvelling at the progress of Mankind in the form of Homo Ruggerbugger. We, as subspecies ruggerfansis are bystanders but participants too in a an alternative but no less important path for mankind. Our destiny is to watch and marvel. But we too have developed tools and use them efficiently: The beer can/bottle/barrel. We have efficient means of consuming much before a match is over.

So watch and marvel when the Sharks show the Blues the path of mankinds destiny this fine day. To evolve mankind to greater heights through Rugger. We also have our role – We are Homo Ruggerfansis. To watch, scream and drink beer is our noble calling.

Comment 52, posted at 26.02.11 12:22:26 by HG (Heavens Game - not the sponsor)

@Ben (Comment 58) : Now that’s a WHOLE other story. Sorry, Dude, I’m an evolutionist and a good ( ) Christian gal with it. Throw in good helpings of other spiritual teachings and a touch of Jedi mastery and you’ve got the whole enchilada, Van Wyk-wise.

Comment 62, posted at 26.02.11 13:05:01 by HG (Heavens Game - not the sponsor)

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 60) : Yeah no sorry I don’t agree with you, I believe in the Bibble and nowhere in the there they mention evolution. I believe God created us all as equals so to say that we look up at rugby players as our “Gods” is just not how I see it….

@Ben (Comment 63) : It would be a very dull world if we all agreed with one another, so don’t worry! Just don’t take my words too literally eh? Or as an indication of what I actually believe to be true! (Apart from evolution, which I do) Just trying to have a bit of fun with an offbeat take on what makes us yell at the TV every week!

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 66) : Yeah don’t worry I’m not saying your wrong as every person has the freedom to believe what they want. I’m just saying I’m not agreeing with you on this subject, so no worries.

I have never heard of the “Bibble” but the Bible to my mind consists of the written words from Godsown mouth.

Much problems and division comes with silly people’s interpretation of Godsown word. Why? Because since “original sin” people are known to be flawed.

Now there is a train of thought in scientific circles that talks about the “original sin” gene or what is more widely known as the “selfish” gene. See, science and faith converge .

I too have a selfish gene. I am selfish in wanting the Sharks to win this afternoon. But sometimes being selfish can be beneficial to the common good. I see Shark supporting selfishness as being beneficial. It is for the good of rugby. Better Sharks means better rugby. Better rugby means mankind improves.

The Blues should know that their loss today is for the common good despite how selfish it is for the Sharks and supporters to want to win. It is a step in the right direction for rugger, and consequently a step in the right direction for mankind.

SHARKS FOREVER!!!

Now let me go find another boolie.

Comment 72, posted at 26.02.11 13:24:02 by HG (Heavens Game - not the sponsor)

Comment 73, posted at 26.02.11 13:24:35 by HG (Heavens Game - not the sponsor)

@Puma (Comment 67) : Are you serious? So was this the problem for him not playing the 1st game? Did he worsen it in the bulls game? Or is this a other injury entirely?

Comment 74, posted at 26.02.11 13:24:54 by Ben

@HG (Heavens Game – not the sponsor) (Comment 72) : Long live being selfish, or, in the case of the Sharks, just plain FISH! So, if you’re going to be a Shark be a CARCHARODON CARCHARIAS! And eat Blues for breakfast, lunch and supper.

@HG (Heavens Game – not the sponsor) (Comment 72) : Very good – I was expressing my opinion that’s all. I wasn’t calling for anyones head. Sharks forever! Now there we can agree!

Comment 78, posted at 26.02.11 13:29:37 by Ben

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 75) : I think it may be a variant of the selfish gene. Its called the [Insert Sponsor] Sharks supporter gene.

This particular gene mutation enables people to have telekinetic abilities (sometimes) to will the ball over the opposition line or through the post, just by shouting from the stands or at the TV. Some special people are even conferred telepathic abilities to predict scores but this is not entirely proven yet.

What is proven is that this Sharks supporting gene does allow all supporters to drink many, many cans of beer…

That reminds me, I need to refrigerate a few more…

A long afternoon of telekinesis ahead.

Comment 79, posted at 26.02.11 13:35:09 by HG (Heavens Game - not the sponsor)

@HG (Heavens Game – not the sponsor) (Comment 79) : Having a laugh here..hehe. Those Rebel supporters must have willed their team to win yesterday..hehe. They were brilliant. Never seen support like that for a brand spanking new team. Never thought they had a chance the Rebels. Their supporters were mental..hehe with excitement that is..hahaha. Anything for a beer and a jol, those Aussies.. Had a good laugh at em.

@SharonvanWyk (Comment 83) : I just wanted the sharks to be the “clear” winners today!

Comment 87, posted at 26.02.11 13:45:51 by Ben

@HG (Heavens Game – not the sponsor) (Comment 78) : In retrospect, dear HG(NTS) this is actually not a gene at all, but the midi-chlorians gifting Shark fans with the ability to use the Force against inanimate objects, the weak-minded and foolish. Which by my reckoning means that we, as highly skillful Jedi-enriched supporters, should be able to influence the outcome of every game, especially when we play the Bulls and Stormers…

@Ben (Comment 86) : Ho ho ho. Bastard life or clarity. And if ANYONE out there in Sharksworld land can tell me where that phrase comes from without googling it I will heap upon them richly deserved rewards!!!